Paper electrode element



' July 21, 1942.l J. irHoMAY PAPER ELEcTRoDE ELEMENT Filed Sept. 26. 1939 2 SheetsSheet 1 TroRNEY July 21, 1942. .1. THQMAY 2,290,655

PAPER ELECTRODE ELEMENT Filed sept. 2e, 193s JNVE/vrok r" J/OB ,W cpmy,

ATTORNEY retenes essai, ieee a'zsaess PAPER ELECTRODE ELEMENT `lohn Thomay,

Columbus, Ohio, assigner to Slayter Electronic Corporation, -a corporation of Ohio Application September 2.6, 1939, Serial No. 296,707

9 Claims.

My invention relates broadly to electric` dis- Y charge apparatus use of semi-conductive paper in various applicaand more particularly to the tions for the suppression of gliding streamers, surges and like irregularities in the operation of electric discharge systems. y

Certain papers, either in their usual form or impregnated with been employed for insulation purposes in electrical apparatus, notably cables and inductive and capacitive elements. In the course of various experiments relating in general to electric discharge phenomena, I have discovered that paper which. has been manufactured with the incorporation of a conductive pigment into the pulp under conditions of close control exhibits an electrically semi-conductive characteristic which I have found useful in the operation of electric discharge apparatus. One such paper which possesses semi-conductive properties and has been employed to advantage in accordance with my invention is a readily obtainable black paper having a carbon black pigment. The resistivity of this paper has been found to be substantially uniform because of the close control exercised vin its manufacture. Ordinarily nonconductive paper may be rendered semi-conductive by im pregnation with a suitable uid so as to produce the desired( resistive characteristic.

One'of the objects of my invention is to provide a resistance path for electric currents in electric discharge apparatus through a semiconductive paper element, which may be em.- bodied in the apparatus in any suitable arrange.- ment.

Another object of my invention is to provide a resistance path Afor the dissipation of stray electric currents in electric discharge apparatus through a semi-conductive paper element mounted on surfaces exposed to stray discharges, to suppress gliding streamers.

Still another object of my invention is to provide a construction o f emitter electrode for electric discharge apparatus with semi-conductive paper embodied in the electrode to provide a re sistance path for discharge currents.

A further object of my invention is to provide a construction of streamlined target electrode for electric discharge apparatus withA semi-conductive paper embodied in the electrode to proprovide a resistance path for currents from the field of the discharge.

suitable materials, have longv Cil ' of forms. In the drawings l for example, as shown in semi-conductive vide resistance therein.

paths for the electric currents an internal .construction of electrode for electric discharge apparatus for 'supporting an outer semi-conductive paper .element providing'a resistance path for currents in the electrode.

'I'he foregoing, as well as other objects, will be made more apparent as this description proceeds, .especially when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figures l to 4, inclusive, are cross sectional views of streamlined target electrodes constructed according to my invention; e

Figure 5 is a partial elevational view of a representative form of streamlined target electrode of the type shown in Figure 1;

Figures. 6, 7, 8 and 9 are cross sectional views of emitterA electrodes constructed in accordance with my invention and which 'mayalso serve as combination target and emitter electrodes;

Figure 10 is a partial side elevational view of a representative form of emitterelectrode, such Figure 6.

The incorporation of semi-conductive paper in composite electrode structures may take a variety I have illustrated a capacitive-resistive type of electrode with the semi-conductive paper providing the resistance component. Figs. l and 2 show an electrode comprising a conductive bus I surrounded by a dielectric such as a glass tubing 2, with a sheath ofthe'conductive paper 3 on the dielectric tub- 'ing 2. 'I'he electrode thus far described is suitable for use as a target forv an electric discharge, to receive the discharge currents \at .the semiconductive sheath 3 and transmit the currents to the bus l by capacitive action. The semiconductivity of the paper sheath- 3 is eilective to maintain the charge more evenly distributed on 'the sheath andthus prevent localized high A still `further object of my invention is to e provide a combination emitter and target electrode for electric discharge apparatus having potential areas which might rupture .the dielectric 2, and also to prevent surges and streamer formation such as mightotherwise arise at the target surface.

I prefer, however, to streamline the electrode by the addition of an outer covering 4 of semiconductive paper contacting the sheath 3 around the leading edge of the target and tapering to a narow portion at the trailing edge. and 2 alternate means is shown for maintaining the outer covering 4 in position. In Fig. l, an inner ller piece 5, which may also be 'of semiconductive paper, is curved into substantially the paper embodied therein to pro- In Figs. '1

,with my invention.

Figs. 1'-10, the outer covering the outer covering 2` at the jacent positions with the edge-portions thereof Y nearer the sheath 3 separated to form a Y brace,

engaging the sheathat the forked end and the narrow portion of the outer covering 4 at' the foot end. Asingle strip of paper may be used to form the Y bracev by bending it back on itself at the middle. Suitable adhesives may be used in the assembly of the composite electrodes, in portions of the structure where adhesive connection is required; a semi-conducting Bakelite resinoid is preferred as the adhesive to be used.

In the streamlined electrodes shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the addition at the leading edge of the target electrode which in some instancesmay affect the operation of theelectrode as a target for electric discharge. .In Figs. 3 and 4, a modication is shown wherein the sheath 3 of Figs. l-and 2 is limited to a sectional element l, secured to the dielectric 2 in complementary relation to the covering 4 which is mounted directly on the leading edge of the electrode. The modification is shown in Fig. 3 with the filler 5 of Fig. 1, and in Fig. 4 with the Y brace of Fig. 2; Only one thickness of the semi-conductive paper forms the active surface at the leading edge of the electrode in Figs. 3 and 4, therefore, so that its operation as a target for electric discharge is unaffected by the streamlined` construction.

' The composite target electrodes of Figs. 1-4 are readily converted for discharge functions,

'thus .becoming combination target-emitter electrodes which may serve as em1tters only, by the4 incorporation into the structure of emitter points.l

Figs. 6-9 illustrate the general` disposition -of emitter'members 9 in the electrodes of Figs. 1-4, respectively; Figs. 6 and 8 indicate the supporting relation of the dual paper sheets 4 and 5 with respect tothe members-9, and Figs. 7 and 9 indicate the manner in which the strips 6 and 1 receive the members 9 and the cooperative supporting relation of the outer covering 4. VAdhesives such as the semi-conducting Bakelite resinoid above noted may be employed to maintain the emitter members 9 in position.

Figs. and 10, which are partial side elevational views of the target and the target-emitter forms of composite electrodes, respectively, differ substantially only in the showing of the emitter members 9 in Fig. 10.

The electrode structures of Figs. 1-9 are intended to be illustrative only of the'manner in which semi-conductive paper maybe incorporated into av composite electrode in accordance n The resistive-capacitive type of electrodeshown may be modified to one of purely resistivecharacter.wherein the resistance is .provided'by .paper elements, and various materialsmay be used tojll'the voids in the electrodewhere greater rigidity or solidarity is desired. Materials such as insulating plastics or dy'wood-are suitable as nuers.' The principal feature of my invention is the arrangement of semi-conductive paper' in positions wherein it will provide a resistive path for electric discharge currents, whether such positions be internal or rexternal of composite electrode structures,A or in rthe'direct or indirect path of the discharge. In 4 is common to all -a streamlined body portion having an 'outer covlering of semi-conductive paper for imparting a of the outer covering 4 places-- surface of said a double thickness of the semi-conductive paper electrode.

2. An electrode including a bus connector, anv

the diierentmodications and represents one of the most practical adaptations of that to composite electrode structures.

A While I have disclosed my invention in certain embodiments suggestive of the range of application thereof, I desire it understood that further modifications may be made in the adaptation of the principle of my invention, and that no limitations upon my invention are intended except as'are imposed by the scope of the appended claims.

what I claim as-new` and desire to seeure by Letters Patent of the United States is as follows:

1. An electrode including a bus connector and resistive vcharacteristic to the inner sheathof semi-conductive paper, and an outer covering of semi-conductive paper tapering to a narrow edge portion with means disposed between said sheath and the narrow edge porthe dielectric 2 around abutment with said inner tion of said` covering for maintaining a stream'- lined form in said covering and said electrode.

3. An electrode as described in claim 2 wherein said means comprises a curved strip of semiconductive paper having its middle portion in abutment with said sheath and the opposite edges thereof engaged at the narrow said covering.

4. An electrode including a bus connector, an inner section of semi-conductive paper and an outer covering of semi-conductive paper' cooperatively arranged to form a sheath concentric with said connector, said outer covering tapering to a narrow edge portion oppositesaid inner sec.

tion of semi-conductive paper, andy means disposed between sai d inner section and the narrow edge portion of said covering for maintaining a streamlined form -in said covering and said electrode.

5. An electrode as described in claim 4 wherein said means comprises a c urved strip of semiconductive paper having its middle portion in section of semi-conductive paper and the opposite edges thereof engaged at the narrow edge portion of said covering. Y

6. An electrode as described in claim 4 wherein said means comprises a Y brace formed of semiconductive paper and having the forked portion thereof bridged by said inner section vof semiconductive paper and the foot portion thereof engaged with 'the narrow edge portionv of said covering.

'7. An electric discharge electrode including a bus connector, an inner element of semi-conduc- `tive paper forming tive paper forming at least a partial sheath around said connector, an outer. covering of semi-conductive paper tapering to a narrow edge portion, a curved strip of semi-conductive paper having its middle portion in abutment with said inner element and the opposite edges thereof engaged at the narrow edge portion of said covering, and a plurality of emitter members cooper-` my invention,

edge portion of row edge portion of said covering by said coverrow edge portion of said covering for maintain- Y seid paperl and seid. emmerl members being io Y -A i JOHN THoMAY.

2,290,655 e Y f f3 portion. a' Y brace formed oi' semi-conductive 9. An electrode including a bus connector. an paper and having the forked portion thereof inner element of semi-conductivepaper forming on said inner element andthe foot porat least a partial sheath around said connector, tion thereof engaged with the narrow edge poran outer covering of semi-conductive `paper ta-I tion of said covering, and a plurality of emitter 5 pering to a narrow edgeportion, and vmeans dis members cooperatively supported at the narposed between said inner element and the nar ing and the toot portion of said Y brace, said ing a streamlined form in said covering and said toot portion comprising a double thickness of electrode. 

